Hong Kong’s army of gig workers delivering food and goods will be entitled to compensation for job-related injuries under proposed legislation aimed at improving labour protection for those working for digital platforms.

According to a paper by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the proposals will cover gig workers who sustain injuries or die “as a result of an accident arising out of and in the course of performing platform work”.

Occupational diseases would not be covered, the paper said.

The proposed compensation mechanism would apply only to those in food and goods delivery services, as these two sectors employed most gig workers in Hong Kong, the bureau said.

In cases of injury, gig workers would be entitled to payments for sick leave, medical expenses, compensation for permanent incapacity, and the cost of surgical appliances.

In fatal cases, compensation would cover funeral and medical attendance expenses, as well as death compensation.